CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is a method of psychological intervention that is based on the notion that our thoughts influence our feelings and our behaviours. The main principal of CBT is that our thoughts about a situation are what cause negative feelings. I often use CBT (where appropriate) with children who are experiencing anxiety. I love CBT for children, because if we can help children become aware that their thoughts influence their emotions and their behaviours, they will be able to carry this principal into other aspects of their lives. It also means that, children can realise that when negative events occur, they can reduce the negative emotional and behavioural impact by managing their thinking patterns in response to these negative events.
 
This CBT Journal is the perfect accompaniment to therapy, and can be used as a take home exercise. It is also helpful for children to use after they have engaged in therapy, but are still needing to track and log their worries/negative thoughts. This journal should not replace therapy, but rather support therapeutic gains.. In this journal, your child will learn how to recognise their negative automatic thoughts, and will learn strategies for managing and shifting these thoughts. 
 
The journal has been designed for use with children aged 11-15 and is broken up into two sections. Part one of the journal is designed to teach children all the concepts and skills they will need to then engage in part two. Part one includes a range of interactive activities/craft activities/templates and part two is the take-home journal. Part two has been designed so that additional journal pages can be re-printed whenever your child runs out of pages. That way, there is no 'end date' or expiry to using the journal; they can use it for as long as they may need.
 
At the end of the journal, you will find x3 appendices. The first appendix includes the full script for the rollercoaster story (the story that the first activity is based on), the second includes sheets that can be re-printed and re-used, and the third includes a guide on further resources that can be used to help supplement the benefits of this journal.